The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-07-06

fastened; by whatever means the burglars
had entered, they had not left a trace of
their attempt behind. / opened the front
door and looked out. Walter Brand sat
upon the stone step. He looked up and
showed me his face, wild and haggard, and
his eyes bloodshot.
Let me come in," he said. II want to
speak to you"
He followed me into the private office
and sat down. / stood before him, waiting
for him to speak.
Il haven't treated you we'll. Lambert, he
said.
"Pm glad that YOU know it,
was my reply, @but it is q
small matter. You have injured an
other more deeply"
He looked anxiously in my face; he
must have seen there detection, discovery,
condemnation
"How did you find it out?" he asked in O
hoarse whisper.
1T was very simple. On one of the fin
gers of the hand from which l struck the
dark lantern saw the large seal-ring, with
the blue onyx stone, that you wear.
1T is all over with me, then, he said. Il
have suffered tie torrents OF the doomed
since that hour hoped You did not know;
1 shook OFF that rutfian, and walked the
streets, with my conscience shifting me at
every step, promising God that if this last
horrible sin did not find me out, | would
repent and reform. But it is not to be so.
Go for an officer; have not strength to es-
cape, if 1 wished to. Send me to the pene-
Tertiary; l deserve it"
"If Won truly mean what you have Just
said, Walter, l shall not so for a police
man..
He looked up again.
You don't mean that, Lambert. You
can't forgive what have done?"
Il can and will; but that is the least part
of it. You must go to your uncle and tell
him all. will go with you"
"No, no! not that; not now. can't give
him such a blow; / can't look him in the
face and confess that | yielded to the
temptation of such dreadful wickedness
and inRratitude. O, if he knew-if he
knew! For Gods sake, Lambert, don't
tell HIM"
go home, then, and begin q new life. "
He shook bis head sadly.
81 dare not. My faAIer is stern man,
so different from Uncle Abel. / cannot
meet him after my disgrace at college,"
There is another chance for you. Cut
loose from your evil companions; go where
you are not known; keep to your good
resolutions, work hard, and all will be
we'll"
His eyes we're downcast: he seemed
Inundated to the dust as he told me the
obstacle to this course. A very brief strug-
gle decided me. l went up to my chamber,
and returning, placed fifty dollars in his
hand. 1t was half of my little savings.
You are welcome TO it, Walter-and
may God help you to be a man! Your
secret is safe with me; your uncle will
never know ii till YOU choose to tell him. "
The tears rolled down his face; he threw
his arms around my neck and sobbed upon
my shoulder. Then he fastened from the
office and the city; and for ten years l did
not see him again.
My mind was not wholly at rest in regard
to the concealment from his uncle of the
events Of that morning, which l had prom
iSed Walter. In fact, it was serious
burden to me for weeks. The path
of duty did not seem plain, and
l passed more than one seepless
night over it. In the end, knowing Mr..
Symington as l did, persuaded myself
that he, in my place, would do as | was
doing. For nine years his example had
been before me, and it abounded i'll for
giyeness of the erring, in the lifting up and
strengthening of those who had fallen. He
was my pattern as we'll as my patron, and
in observing his life had really wished to
Learn the luxury of doing good.
1t was not long after the disappearance
of Walter that letters began to reach us
from him. In a far Western city he
had commenced his new life, and was
manfully struggling with hardship and toll.
Soon, lie was writing cheerfully of new
friends and brighter prospects; still later,
of substantial success, and in time our
hearts were gladdened by the news of his
wealth and civic honors. Ten years bring
chant es to everybody; and when Walter,
his wife and boy made us their long
promised visit, they found that | had be-
come Mr.. Symington's son-in-law, and
was in principal charge of the business. 1t
was not until the day before this visit ended
that the memorable scene occurred which
will fifty close this narrative. / was sitting
with the ladies after dinner, with title
Lambert Brand upon my knee, when Mr..
Symington opened the library door and
called Inc in, closing it after me. Walter
sat by the window; and when he turned his
thoughtful, expressive face to me, knew
at once what had happened.
Walter has been telling me- said my
father law, "a very strange story OF
something that occurred at the Office ten
years ago. You see that it has astonished
me; ] certainly never suspected the truth.
Nix dear Lambert, it makes me prouder of
you than ever! Not often do bravery and
mercy, stout heart and forgiving one,
go together as they did that morning. You
were not only faithful to your trust under
the most tying circumstances, but after il
had been well kept, you showed a charity
and moderation toward your enemy thai
partook of the true spirit of Christ"
Once more Walters arm was round my
neck; and his words shall end the story
"He did more than that, sir. He saved
me-"
A Good New England Story.
Wban Wil1iop, pitt Eassandan xvoc n